Thompson has 20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, Rockets beat Clippers 115-113

HOUSTON (AP) — Amen Thompson’s three-point play with 17.2 seconds left helped the Houston Rockets to a 115-113 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

Thompson tipped in Alperen Sengun’s miss to break a 110-110 tie, was fouled by Kris Dunn and hit the and-1 free throw. The putback came off Houston's third offensive rebound of the possession and 21st of the night.

Thompson made 8 of 12 from the field and finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

The Rockets (16-6) outrebounded the Clippers 51-28 and avoided losing back-to-back games for the first time since October 24.

Los Angeles had two possessions with a chance to tie the game, but Kawhi Leonard was called for an offensive foul, and Nicolas Batum committed a violation on an inbounds pass.

Sengun led the Rockets with 22 points and 15 rebounds, five assists and four steals, while Jabari Smith Jr added 18 points.

Kevin Durant scored 13 of his 16 points in the third quarter. He started the game 1 of 7 from the field but knocked down his next four shots.

Ivica Zubac matched a season-high with 33 points for the Clippers. He shot 13 of 14 and added seven rebounds.

Leonard scored 24 points in a season-high 41 minutes, and James Harden chipped in 22 points against the team he starred with for over eight seasons.

The loss is the Clippers (6-19) third in a row and eighth in nine games.

Rockets: At Denver on Monday

Clippers: Host Memphis on Monday

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant, center, shoots the ball betwen LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, and guard James Harden, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) attempts to drive around LA Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, left, reaches in as LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, looks to drive around him during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, right, goes up to dunk in front of LA Clippers guard James Harden, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona has a massive 6-2 lead to protect against Real Madrid when it hosts the second leg of their Women’s Champions League quarterfinal on Thursday.

The Catalan club is in a commanding position to make a record-extending eighth straight semifinal while Madrid would need an unprecedented quarterfinal turnaround to reach the last four for the first time.

Three-time champion Barcelona seeks to reclaim the title it lost to Arsenal last season. Barcelona topped the league phase with an unbeaten campaign that included 20 goals scored and three against.

Madrid, in its second consecutive quarterfinal, was eliminated by Arsenal last season. It finished seventh in the league phase.

Thursday’s game will mark Barcelona’s return to Camp Nou for the first time since the stadium partially reopened in November amid ongoing renovations.

“I’m incredibly excited, very motivated, and eager to prepare for the match and train at the Camp Nou beforehand,” Barcelona coach Pere Romeu said. “It will be a wonderful day to be able to manage a match in that beautiful stadium.”

Barcelona has beaten Madrid five times in all competitions this season.

The winner will play Bayern Munich.

In the night's other quarterfinal, Wolfsburg takes a 1-0 lead against OL Lyonnes to Lyon. The German side hopes to become the third club to eliminate the French record eight-time champion in 17 quarterfinals.

Defending champion Arsenal awaits the winner.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Arsenal's Alessia Russo, left, and Chelsea's Ellie Carpenter battle for the ball during the Women's Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Chelsea and Arsenal in London, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (John Walton/PA via AP)